Palmitic acid-16,16,16-d3

Palmitic acid-16,16,16-d3 is a deuterium-labeled version of palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid commonly found in animal and vegetable fats. It is a long-chain fatty acid with 16 carbon atoms and a carboxylic acid functional group at one end. The deuterium labeling on the three terminal carbon atoms (16,16,16) is added for research purposes, to allow for tracking and identification of the compound in biological systems. Palmitic acid-16,16,16-d3 is often used as a tracer molecule in metabolic studies, particularly in lipid metabolism research. It can be administered to cells or organisms, and its incorporation and distribution can then be analyzed using mass spectrometry techniques. In addition to its use in research, palmitic acid-16,16,16-d3 is also used in the production of labeled lipids for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. From a chemical perspective, palmitic acid-16,16,16-d3 has the same properties as natural palmitic acid, except for the added deuterium atoms. It is a white, waxy solid with a melting point of 63-64°C and a boiling point of 370°C. It is soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and chloroform, but insoluble in water. Like other fatty acids, it can undergo reactions such as esterification, oxidation, and reduction. Overall, palmitic acid-16,16,16-d3 is a valuable tool for studying lipid metabolism and a useful compound for producing labeled lipids.